US, Sep 20 : India’s textile and apparel exporters are facing fresh uncertainty in the US market following the passage of new American legislation that could allow additional tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has urged the Indian government to engage with US authorities over the potential impact of the legislation on exporters, particularly labour-intensive businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises.
US President Donald Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The legislation gives the US administration powers to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas.
The development has raised concerns across India’s textile sector because the United States is an important destination for Indian apparel and textile products. Exporters are already dealing with tariff related uncertainty while preparing orders for the upcoming spring 2027 season.
Industry representatives have called for urgent diplomatic engagement to protect the competitiveness of Indian exporters and prevent additional trade barriers from affecting overseas shipments.
The possible tariff escalation comes at a time when India’s merchandise exports have shown signs of recovery. Textile manufacturers and exporters, however, remain cautious because higher duties in the US could affect pricing, orders and margins.
Smaller exporters could face particular pressure if additional costs make Indian products less competitive against supplies from other countries.
CITI has therefore sought government intervention to address the issue and safeguard India’s textile exports to the American market. The outcome of discussions between New Delhi and Washington could become important for exporters as they plan future shipments and negotiate new orders.